DW with AFP, dpa
March 25, 2026
Human rights groups have warned of asylum seekers disappearing into "legal black holes" beyond EU borders, while concerns have also been raised over the influence of the far right over the legislation.
Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany and the Netherlands are backing the proposals, but France and Spain have questioned their effectiveness
European lawmakers on Thursday gave the green light to controversial proposals to deport rejected asylum seekers to so-called "return hubs" outside the European Union, as pressure grows to tighten up immigration rules.
Parliamentarians in Brussels voted 389 to 206 in favor of the reforms which pave the way for the establishment of migrant centers beyond the bloc's borders to house migrants whose asylum applications are rejected.
Those who refuse to be relocated to the return hubs would face harsh penalties including detention and entry bans, according to the proposals.
What's the outlook for the EU's 'return hubs' proposal?
According to the AFP news agency, the proposals are being led by a small group of EU countries including Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany and the Netherlands.
However, other states such as France and Spain have questioned the strategy's effectiveness while human rights groups have warned of asylum seekers disappearing into "legal black holes."
"They will be located outside of EU territory, where policymakers cannot guarantee that people's rights will be upheld," said International Rescue Committee's Marta Welander.
Similar schemes have already faced legal problems. The UK's plan to deport undocumented migrants to Rwanda was eventually scrapped after numerous hurdles in the courts. Italy's plan to process migrants in Albania has failed to take-off amid its own legal challenges.
Far-right influence on EU deportation proposals
The controversy surrounding the proposed legislation isn't just limited to its content, but also to the political negotiations which have made it possible.
According to media reports, the wording of the draft law was agreed following WhatsApp and in-person negotiations between parties from the center-right European People's Party Group (EPP), including German conservatives from Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Bavarian CSU, and far-right parties from the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) grouping such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
According to lawmaker Erik Marquardt, who sits in the European Parliament for Germany's Green Party, the draft features 38 formulations which were proposed by the ESN group.
Marquardt warned against "making EU deportation policies dependent on a party [the AfD] which had been categorized by many as extreme-right due to its remigration fantasies."
EU migrant 'return hubs': what next?
Thursday's vote in the European Parliament moved the proposal a step closer to approval.
The next step will be negotiations between lawmakers and member states on a final legislative text.
Edited by: Alex Berry
Matt Ford Reporter for DW News and Fact Check
Parliamentarians in Brussels voted 389 to 206 in favor of the reforms which pave the way for the establishment of migrant centers beyond the bloc's borders to house migrants whose asylum applications are rejected.
Those who refuse to be relocated to the return hubs would face harsh penalties including detention and entry bans, according to the proposals.
What's the outlook for the EU's 'return hubs' proposal?
According to the AFP news agency, the proposals are being led by a small group of EU countries including Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany and the Netherlands.
However, other states such as France and Spain have questioned the strategy's effectiveness while human rights groups have warned of asylum seekers disappearing into "legal black holes."
"They will be located outside of EU territory, where policymakers cannot guarantee that people's rights will be upheld," said International Rescue Committee's Marta Welander.
Similar schemes have already faced legal problems. The UK's plan to deport undocumented migrants to Rwanda was eventually scrapped after numerous hurdles in the courts. Italy's plan to process migrants in Albania has failed to take-off amid its own legal challenges.
Far-right influence on EU deportation proposals
The controversy surrounding the proposed legislation isn't just limited to its content, but also to the political negotiations which have made it possible.
According to media reports, the wording of the draft law was agreed following WhatsApp and in-person negotiations between parties from the center-right European People's Party Group (EPP), including German conservatives from Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Bavarian CSU, and far-right parties from the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) grouping such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
According to lawmaker Erik Marquardt, who sits in the European Parliament for Germany's Green Party, the draft features 38 formulations which were proposed by the ESN group.
Marquardt warned against "making EU deportation policies dependent on a party [the AfD] which had been categorized by many as extreme-right due to its remigration fantasies."
EU migrant 'return hubs': what next?
Thursday's vote in the European Parliament moved the proposal a step closer to approval.
The next step will be negotiations between lawmakers and member states on a final legislative text.
Edited by: Alex Berry
Matt Ford Reporter for DW News and Fact Check
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